 Robert Lacy Atkinson, 44, of Spring Valley, was sentenced on Monday, June 2, 2008, in Fillmore County District Court by Judge Robert Benson to 24 months in prison and fined $500 fine after he pled guilty to failing to register as a predatory sexual offender, a felony. He was given credit for 25 days served in jail.

According to court records, from January 1, 2008, to October 6, 2008, Atkinson failed to notify officials after changing his address.

As part of the plea agreement all other charges were dismissed, including felony charges of criminal sexual conduct, where Atkinson was accused of having sex with a minor. County attorney Kelly Wagner prosecuted the case, while public defender Fred Suhler, Jr. represented the defendant.

 Shawn Marie Jensen, 35, of Stewartville, was sentenced on June 2, 2008, by Judge Benson to five years probation, fined $50 and ordered to pay restitution after pleading guilty to issuing dishonored checks. As part of a plea agreement, all other charges were dismissed.

Judge Benson stayed adjudication of guilt on the condition that Jensen be law-abiding and comply with the terms of her probation.

Jensen admitted to writing checks totalling $903.56 on April 22, 2007. The checks were drawn from a closed checking account.

 Cheryl Kay Briggs, 34, of Stewartville, was sentenced on June 2, 2008 to five years probation, fined $50, given 30 days in jail and ordered to serve 50 hours community service after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.

Briggs admitted to possessing methamphetamine when she was riding in a vehicle stopped for a traffic stop on April 29, 2008.

Felony Charges

 Nicole Leigh Zwart, 31, and Jeremy Donald Zwart, 33, husband and wife of Chatfield were charged in District Court with theft by check on June 2, 2008.

According to the criminal complaint, it is alleged that Nicole Zwart wrote a check for $16,000 to her husband that was written on a closed account from a Rochester financial institution. It is further alleged that Mr. Zwart deposited the money at a local bank and was issued a certified check for $16,000 which was signed over to a Preston law firm to be used for a down payment on a house the couple were buying. In addition to theft by check charges, Mrs. Zwart is also charged with issuing a dishonored check, a felony.

Judge Robert Benson released the couple on their own recognizance, pending their next court appearance scheduled for July 7, 2008.

 Dawn Marie Williams, 33, of Rochester, was charged in District Court on June 2, 2008 with theft by check and issuing a dishonored check, both felonies.

According to court records, it is alleged that Williams wrote several checks totally more than $1000 at two Spring Valley stores on or around May 19, 2007. The checks were written on a closed account at a Rochester bank.

Judge Benson released Williams on her own recognizance pending her next scheduled court appearance on September 15, 2008.

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